Solidarity: Brutal bosses attack striking Lisbon Dockers

Protest and solidarity messages needed

The Lisbon Port Operators Association, which represents the interests of the companies operating in the Lisbon Port, has decided, in a completely horrendous and desperate attack, to start a collective sacking of the Lisbon dockworkers. They are currently on strike against the Port Law and the work agreement proposed by the bosses, which would allow a dramatic increase in the casualization of workers and deeply cut the salaries and rights of the workers, opening the way for further attacks on workers’ right in Ports and workplaces across Europe. This lay-off could hit more than 320 Lisbon Dockers and their families.

The Lisbon dockers are on strike for a real collective working agreement which would stop casualization, preserve their hard-fought and hard-earned rights and include the precarious workers in the work contract, giving them the same rights as full-time dockers. They are bravely fighting against the bosses’ attacks and for working rights for all dockers, in a struggle that can have a decisive effect in Portuguese and Europe

The Lisbon Dockers have a proud tradition of internationalism and solidarity, leading and supporting the various struggles against austerity. They are organised in the International Dockworkers Council have supported industrial action against austerity and precarious working conditions taken by various workers, both in Portugal and around the world. The Dockers Trade Union is also organising a March against casualization and austerity on 16 June in Lisbon. We need to join their struggle.

This horrific decision is the most serious attempt so far in a long campaign of fear-mongering, intimidation, blackmail and aggression orchestrated by the bosses against the Lisbon Dockers, workers and trade-unionists fighting for their rights and against the increasing casualization and curtailing of rights in the workplaces.

We stand in total solidarity with the Lisbon Dockers and we completely repudiate the brutal attack by the bosses. We urge comrades to send solidarity message to the Lisbon Dockers Union and the protest letter to the Port companies. Model letters are below.

Solidarity letters should be sent to the Dockers and Dockworkers Union at [email protected].

Protest letters should be sent to the Lisbon Port Operators Association and associated members, detailed below:

Protest and solidarity messages needed

Lisbon Port Operators Association (APOL) – email: [email protected]; phone +351 21 393 99 11

Liscont- site: www.liscont.pai.pt Phone number- +351 213 927 500

TCSA/SOTAGUS email: [email protected] Phone number: +351 21 862 56 30

TMB email : [email protected] ; Phone number: +351 218 621 160

Multiterminal: email- [email protected] ; Phone number: +351 213 474 805

Solidarity letter

“Greetings

We have become aware, through our comrades in Socialismo Revolucionário, of the struggle of the Lisbon Dockers against casualization and for workers’ rights, and the bosses’ disgusting move for collective lay-off as a brutal attack on the Lisbon Dockworkers.

We stand in total solidarity with the Lisbon and Portuguese Dockers in their fight for working rights and against casualization, precarisation and miserable salaries.

We completely repudiate the disgusting attack by the bosses and APOL (Lisbon Port Operators Association) with the collective lay-off of Lisbon Dockers as the most serious in a campaign of fear-mongering, intimidation and blackmail against workers and trade-unionists fighting hard and bravely not only for their rights, but for the rights of all.”

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Protest Letter

“To whom it may concern,

We have become aware of the collective lay-off of Lisbon Dockers that your organisation is taking part, and we consider it one of the most disgusting moves yet in in the campaign of fear-mongering, blackmailing and intimidation against workers that are trying to protect their hard-earned and deserved rights.

We completely repudiate the repulsive attack that your organisation and other APOL (Lisbon Port Operators Association) members are perpetrating against the Lisbon Dockers, and your moves towards stripping them from salaries, working rights and into casualization and insecure jobs.

We stand in total solidarity with the Lisbon and Portuguese Dockers in their fight for working rights and against casualization, precarisation and misery salaries.”

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